April 2025 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • March 29, 2025

Dear friends,

 

These are tumultuous times for our nation. At the time of this writing, we have scheduled a Prayer Service for our Nation for Sunday, March 30 from 4-4:30 p.m. This brief service will include special music and time for shared prayers.

As I was thinking about the state of our nation and the continuation of our Lenten season, these beautiful words from a Lenten hymn, “Before the Cross of Jesus,” came into my mind

and heart:

The hopes that lead us onward,
The fears that hold us back,
Our will to dare great things for God,
The courage that we lack,
The faith we keep in goodness,
Our love, as low or pure -
On all, the judgment of the cross
Falls steady, clear, and sure.

 

Yet humbly, in our striving,
O God, we face its test.
We crave the power to do Thy will
With Him who did it best.
On us let now the healing
Of His great Spirit fall,
And make us brave and full of joy
To answer to His call.

 

Blessings and Peace,

Barbara

April Calendar


  • Friday, April 4: Quarter Auction 7PM
  • Saturday, April 5: Men’s Breakfast 8:20 AM
  • Sunday, April 6: Texas Roadhouse
  • Saturday, April 12: Drive Through 1-3 PM
  • Sunday, April 13: Palm Sunday
  • Sunday, April 13: Just Peace meeting
  • Thursday, April 17: Maundy Thursday
  • Friday, April 18: Good Friday (film service)
  • Sunday, April 20: Easter Sunday 8 & 10 AM

April Monthly Quarter Auction


We are holding our next Monthly Quarter Auction on Friday, April 4. Doors open at 6 PM, and the auction begins at 7 PM. Everyone is invited to bring quarters and friends for a fun evening and a chance to win some great items from our vendors! There will also be a raffle! Admission: $5 for two paddles. Our main vendor is One Call Away Vereans Support Center (OCA). Bring a personal hygiene item, to be donated to OCA, for a free third paddle. Dinner food and snacks will be available for purchase.


Souper Bowl of Caring Total


We collected a total of 238 cans of soup through our special Souper Bowl of Caring outreach offering. All soup was donated to the Emergency Cupboard of the Open Pantry. Thanks to everyone! We are also grateful for community folks who brought soup to our monthly Drive Through Collection of Food Donations.

Palm Sunday Service at 10am ( April 13)


On this day, we remember Jesus fulfilling ancient prophecy by riding into Jerusalem in a most unusual kind of parade.

Maundy Thursday Service (April 17) In-Person Service at 7pm


This service focuses on the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples. There is also a Service of Tenebrae (“Shadows”) including special scripture readings of the Passion of Jesus. 

Good Friday Service (April 18) Please Note: Filmed Service Only


The focus for this service is the crucifixion of Jesus, through the lens of “The Symbols of Good Friday.” The film will be posted on our website at fostermemorial.org, You Tube, and on our Facebook page.


Easter Sunday Services (April 20) In-Person at 8am and 10am


Our early service features the construction of our “Flowing Cross.” Our 10 AM service includes special music by our Chancel Choir and the “Unpacking of our Alleluias!” Please join us as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior!


Upcoming Events


  • Saturday, April 5: Men’s Breakfast – all men welcome. Meet in front parking lot at 8:20 AM
  • Saturday, April 12: Drive Through Collection of Non-Perishable Food for Open Pantry 1-3 PM in the back parking lot of the church
  • Sunday, April 6 from 11:30 AM – 3 PM. Texas roadhouse Fundraising


Shrove Sunday Pancake Brunch held on March 2


Thank you to everyone who made this brunch very special. Thank you to Jim and the cooks, our youth and CE team and friends who served, and everyone who came to eat and join in the fun! We raised $430.00 which was gifted as a helping hand to the Afghan family with whom we walk alongside.


Recorded Worship Services


Along with in-person worship service, we offer pre-recorded worship services, posted each week (and for special services) on YOU Tube, on our Foster Memorial Church Facebook page and on our church website: http://www.fostermemorial.org/videos/

Worship services are also provided in print through the mail each week for people who do not have access to the internet



A note from Jim Wood's Sister, Sue:


Thank you all so very much for your support and friendship during Jim's illness and passing. It's a comfort to us in knowing how beloved he was, and your love for him will sustain us during this difficult time. In gratitude, Sue and Steve Saunders.

 

May 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • April 29, 2026
Dear friends, The joyful season of Easter continues this month. This season lasts 50 days and ends on Pentecost Sunday, celebrated this year on May 24. During this season, we focus on Jesus’ appearances to his followers after his death and resurrection. One of my favorite hymns for this season is In The Bulb There is a Flower by Natalie Sleeth. In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody. There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. Blessings, Barbara

April 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 27, 2026
April 2026

March 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 2, 2026
Dear friends, The season of Lent began on February 18 and continues until Easter Sunday, celebrated this year on April 5. (See the schedule for Holy Week included in this newsletter) During this season, we’re asked to devote time for inner reflection, taking stock of our lives. And we are called to reach out, in Christian service, to neighbors, near and far. One of the ways we do that each year in March is through our One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) special offering. This year, the offering will be collected on March 15. The money from this offering is utilized through Wider Church Ministries of the UCC, to respond to a variety of global and local concerns by providing advocacy, sustainable development resources, long-term disaster recovery support, and assistance for refugees and asylum seekers, working in collaboration with our partners locally and globally Our generosity ensures that the transforming power of love will continue to support our neighbors in need, here in our country and around the world. Attached to this newsletter is an activity calendar for Feb. 22- March 15 to help us gain deeper understanding about the work of this offering. Thank you to Sharon Gormbley for designing this calendar. Blessings, Barbara FUNDRAISING BY GROCERY SHOPPING: BIG Y GIFT CARDS Thank you to everyone who has purchased Big Y gift cards for our fundraising program. For each card purchased, the church will get a benefit of 5%. It doesn’t sound like much, but together, we are raising almost $200 per month for the church—just by our regular shopping. It’s handy to keep a card in your wallet to be used at Big Y or Fresh Acres or the Big Y gas pumps. See Jeanie Marsh if you would like to order any cards for yourself or for others. PRE-RECORDED FILMED SERVICES We continue to offer recorded worship services for each Sunday, and special holy days, posted on You Tube, on our website at http://www.fostermemorial.org/videos/ and on our Facebook page. through to the end. Thank you to all who gave their time, talent and treasure throughout the year. The amount entered for Receipts does not include unplanned transfers from our savings or other accounts needed to pay  bills from month-to-month.